A system is provided in order to automatically close a filler inlet compartment lid of a car when the lid is in an unintended open position. When predefined signals which are considered to indicate the termination of a refueling operation occur, the system activates a filler inlet compartment lid closing mechanism so that the filler inlet compartment lid is automatically closed and locked. This can take place when the filler inlet compartment lid is completely open or when the lid is in an only slightly lifted intermediate position. The filler inlet compartment lid may reach such a slightly lifted intermediate position, for example, in a drive-through car wash when triggered by the pressure of the car wash brushes.
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1. An operating system for a filler inlet compartment lid of a motor vehicle, comprising a control unit which responds to signals indicating predefined conditions and designed for controlling the operating system for closing the filler inlet compartment lid, and a sliding-block part which is arranged inside a vehicle body, which can be rotated or displaced by a driving element, and which has a guide slot, open on one side and defining two levels, and a locking pin mounted on the filler inlet compartment lid which can enter the guide slot, the locking pin, according to the position of the sliding-block part, locking the filler inlet compartment lid in a closed position or moving the filler inlet compartment lid into a slightly lifted intermediate position.
2. The operating system according to
3. The operating system according to
4. The operating system according to
5. The operating system according to
6. The operating system according to
7. The operating system according to
8. The operating system according to
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This application claims the priority of German application 100 23 382.1, filed May 12, 2000, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to an operating system for a filler inlet compartment lid of a motor vehicle.
Corresponding to design data, the filler inlet compartment lids of current passenger cars are constructed without recessed grips for opening purposes. A mechanism is mounted behind the rearward edge of such a filler inlet compartment lid. After manual pressure from the outside, the mechanism presses the filler inlet compartment lid, during release, approximately 1 cm toward the outside into an intermediate position so that the user can reach behind the edge of the filler inlet compartment lid which will then protrude. After refueling the vehicle, the lid is pressed into the closed position again, against the resistance of the mechanism. When released, the lid will spring only so far to the outside that it is flush with the outer skin. The operation of this system is similar to that of a pressure-operated ball point pen having a cardioid curve or operating according to similar principles.
For reasons of comfort, the triggering force for the above-described pressing mechanism should not exceed a certain amount. There is, therefore, a risk that this mechanism will be triggered in car wash systems. After passing through a car wash system, the filler inlet compartment lid may protrude in the intermediate position. The vehicle user often does not notice this and will drive around with a slightly projecting compartment lid until the projecting lid is noticed. Only after pressure is exercised on the filler inlet compartment lid will this lid be returned into a position flush with the outer skin. Also, if the customer forgets to completely press in the compartment lid after refueling, then the lid will slightly protrude.
It is an object of the invention to provide a system which automatically closes the filler inlet compartment lid if it either has opened in an unintentional manner or was mistakenly not closed.
This object is achieved by using a control unit which responds to signals indicating predefined conditions and which is designed to control the operating system for closing the filler inlet compartment lid. Further features of the invention are also reflected in the claims.
In a system according to the invention, signals are generated under defined conditions such as, for example, after expiration of a predefined time interval following the opening of the filler inlet compartment lid, after a predefined driven distance following a refueling stop, when a predefined speed is exceeded, or under other conditions which can be evaluated as signs that the refueling operation is completed. These signals trigger closing and locking of the filler inlet compartment lid. In this manner, driving around with an accidentally not closed filter inlet compartment lid, in a fully opened or intermediate position, is prevented.
An expedient further development of the invention is that the operating system arranged inside the vehicle body, similar to a central locking system, has a sliding-block part which can be rotated or displaced by a driving element. The sliding-block part has a guide slot which is open on one side and defines two levels. A locking pin can engage into the guide slot. The locking pin is situated on the filler inlet compartment lid and, depending on the position of the sliding-block part, locks the filler inlet compartment lid in the closed position or moves it into a slightly lifted release or intermediate position in which, as mentioned above, the lid can easily be opened manually. Triggering of the sliding-block drive can take place by way of a pressure sensor which, during a slight pressure against the closed filler inlet compartment lid, generates an opening signal which causes a movement of the sliding block into the position in which the filler inlet compartment lid is lifted and is released for opening. After closing the filler piece when the refueling operation is completed, the filler inlet compartment lid, which is normally provided with a dead-center spring, is shut and reaches the slightly opened intermediate position, in which it can again trigger a sensor, which will trigger the sliding-block drive for moving the sliding block into the locking position for the filler inlet compartment lid.
If opening of the filler inlet compartment lid is triggered unintentionally (for example, in a car wash system), or if the filler inlet compartment lid is only leaning, after a closing operation, without triggering the sensor, or remains completely open, then the lid will be automatically closed at a later point in time according to the invention as a function of certain signals, mentioned above by way of example, available in the vehicle. If desired, another signal generator can be provided to indicate the respective position of the sliding block or filler inlet compartment lid on the dashboard. The invention has the advantage that a customer will not be driving around with a projecting filler inlet compartment lid without noticing it after either using a car wash system or refueling. After a defined time or driving distance, or as a function of other conceivable events or conditions, the filler inlet compartment lid will be closed electrically or by another drive (hydraulically, pneumatically, etc.). Advantageously, the entire unit for automatically closing the filler inlet compartment lid can be combined to form a module which can easily be mounted in the vehicle body and connected.
Embodiments of invention illustrated in the drawings will now be explained in detail.
A filler inlet compartment lid 4 is sunk in the outer skin 2 of the vehicle body. This filler inlet compartment lid 4 is conventionally swivellably disposed by way of a hinge 6, so that it can be opened up for refueling and then closed again. In a known manner, a dead-center spring 8 is used for fixing the filler inlet compartment lid in the closed and in the opened position. With a central locking system, an electrically or pneumatically operable locking pin would be provided for locking the filler inlet compartment lid. When the vehicle is locked, the locking pin moves into an eye provided on the filler inlet compartment lid and locks the lid in this manner.
Instead, the invention provides a sliding block slide or rotor which is capable of both keeping the filler inlet compartment lid locked in the closed condition or releasing it for opening and pulling the lid from a slightly open intermediate position, in which it can be completely opened manually, into the completely closed position, in which it closes off flush with the vehicle body skin.
In the embodiment illustrated in
If, after refueling, the filler inlet compartment lid 4 has been manually pressed in the direction of its closed position, then its locking pin 14, according to
In the area of the hinge 6, a sensor is provided. The sensor, not shown here, supplies information concerning the lid position to the control unit 22 in order to indicate when the lid is open or not completely closed. When additional predefined condition signals occur, for which several examples were initially indicated, the control unit 22 will initiate closing of the filler inlet compartment lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving element 16 moves the sliding block 10 toward the left and thus pulls the filler inlet compartment lid 4 shut. If the filler inlet compartment lid is completely open, another mechanism, which is not shown here separately, can be provided. This other mechanism first brings the filler inlet compartment lid into the position according to
In the embodiment illustrated in
The system according to the invention is created for simple opening and, under certain conditions, automatic closing of the filler inlet compartment lid. The opening of the lid takes place by way of pressure on the lid, which transmits the pressure to a switching unit which can be separate from or be integrated in the driving unit. This switching unit is controlled either directly, by the rotatable or linearly displaceable sliding block, or indirectly, by the locking rod in the driving unit. Controlling can take place, in the locking and release conditions of the sliding block, so that opening and closing can take place by way of the switching unit.
Two Operating Sequences will be Mentioned:
1st Operating Sequence Possibility:
Opening of the Filler Inlet Compartment Lid
The lid opens a distance,
the lid edge can comfortably be opened manually against a slight counterpressure of the spring 8, and
the lid opens automatically after the dead center is exceeded.
Closing of the Filler Inlet Compartment Lid
The lid 4 is to be closed manually against a slight counterpressure of the spring 8 until, after the dead center, it automatically falls into the easily opened intermediate position, and
the pressure generated by the impact is to trigger the control unit 22 by way of a sensor and control the locking.
a) By pressing onto the lid, the control unit is triggered and the locking is controlled; and
b) if the lid is not closed, and, for example, engine on and/or rolling movement conditions apply, an automatic closing operation is initiated.
2nd Operating Sequence Possibility:
Opening of the Filler Inlet Compartment Lid
Pressing of the lid is performed, and
the lid opens completely.
Closing of the Filler Inlet Compartment Lid
The lid is to be closed manually against a slight counterpressure of the spring until it engages; and
if the lid is not closed and, for example, engine on and/or rolling movement conditions apply, an automatic closing operation is initiated.
In the event of a failure of the driving system, the lid can be opened by an emergency unlocking system 20.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
May 10 2001 | MOLL, PATRICK | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011801 | /0218 | |
May 10 2001 | GOEHR, HEIKO | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011801 | /0218 | |
May 11 2001 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
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